Tallassee teen found; man faces charges

A Montgomery man faces a sex charge in connection with the case of a missing 14-year-old.

Willie Joe Thomas III, 30, is charged with traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act. The charge is a Class A felony, which carries a sentence that can range from 10 to 99 years to life in prison.(Photo: Booking)

A Tallassee teenager who had been reported missing two weeks ago was found safe Wednesday afternoon in Brewton.

Tallassee Assistant Police Chief Ken Smith confirmed that Kiara Nicole Neal, 14, was found in Brewton. A resident spotted the girl, who was reported missing on March 9, and contacted Tallassee police, Smith said. Kiara has been the subject of a state-wide search.

Local law enforcement responded in Brewton and took Kiara in custody, he said. Three Tallassee investigators went to Brewton to pick her up, Smith said.

“That’s the news we’ve been waiting to here,” said District Attorney Randall Houston. “Our efforts were focused on finding this child and returning her to her family.

Just four hours before that comment, Houston stood in a Wetumpka courtroom facing the man who allegedly drove her away from Tallassee High School on March 9.

A Montgomery man allegedly communicated with her on a social media app, prosecutors say.

Willie Joe Thomas III, 30, is charged with traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act.. Elmore County District Court before Judge Glenn Goggans set Thomas’ bond is set at $150,000 cash during his initial court appearance Wednesday.

The charge is a Class A felony, which carries a sentence that can range from 10 to 99 years to life in prison.

Thomas allegedly picked up Kiara “at or somewhere near Tallassee High School,” Chief Assistant District Attorney C.J. Robinson told the court. Thomas and Neal had been communicating using an app called “Tagged,” Robinson said.

“Judge, this gentleman took a 14-year-old girl away from Tallassee, he’s the only reason we are here discussing this matter,” Houston said. “We feel a high bond is in order because he needs to be locked up so he can never do this again.”

Robinson told Goggans that video footage from two locations in Montgomery shows Kiara in the company of Thomas shortly after she left Tallassee.

“Do you know where the child is?” Goggans asked Thomas.

“No,” Thomas said. “I told the investigators we have a better chance of finding her if I’m out. I have my folks working on it.”

Goggans disregarded Thomas’ request to lower the original bond of $100,000 cash. Goggans increased the amount to $150,000 cash just before the end of the hearing.

Evidence shows that Kiara voluntarily went with Thomas, Houston said.

Houston is asking parents remain aware of who their children are communicating with and how.

“There are so many apps out there now, law enforcement can’t keep track of them,” he said. “I urge parents to look at their children’s phones and find out what apps they have. Find out what social media apps they have on their phone

“Because this is a … man who got hooked up with a 14-year-old girl through this method.”

Thomas was in the Elmore County Jail on Wednesday afternoon and could not be reached for comment. He told Goggans he doesn’t have a lawyer.